Digital Thermometer

 I use a digital thermometer in labs frequently.  They provide constant temperature readings.  Spirit thermometers don’t recover quickly when measuring hot liquids.  There are options.  I have TI 84 graphing calculators we use in math classes.  The TI 84 calculators interface with Vernier’s EasyTemp sensors.  Usually eBay has used EasyTemp sensors.

Vernier has Go! Temp sensors which connects to the USB on a laptop; the software is free.  eBay sells used probes.  The only issue is using a laptop near liquids in lab.

Amazon sells digital thermometers, too.  I find this option less attractive.  I have had issues with cheap thermometers.  I know the Vernier sensors are durable and use them.                                                  

Homer-o-stasis

 No, I’m not a fan of Homer Simpson or The Simpson cartoons.   However, this Homer-o-stasis lab (and here) is ingenious.  The kids must maintain a constant color, temperature, and volume.  It works best with digital thermometers, which update immediately.  It is helpful to have a few thermometers available, whether analog or digital.  I can’t think of a better way to drive home the concept of homeostasis.  I did a little research about teaching Anatomy.  The consensus is to use models, games, quizzes, cards, drawings, etc.  Guess what?  Labs also help kids frame concepts.  

Back to Co-op!

 We started Co-op classes yesterday.  No, I didn’t get any pix—totally forgot.  But, I think POGIL is going to save my sanity.  The kids didn’t hate the Amoeba Sisters, either.   Now, the challenge is to get the kids to do homework.  

Get Ready for Co-op!

 Let me share a few organizational tools we use to get ready for Co-op.  We use several Google apps.  Why?  They are all free.  I like the convenience to merge their apps into Google Classroom. One app we use, which isn’t shown is a spreadsheet listing all of the students.  My husband also maintains a spreadsheet to track grades and attendance.  It’s not too late to get organized.  You need to be ready for the first day of class; details about the class can wait a little longer.

1. Create a slide deck.  I organized the overview into Google Slides.

2. Use the slides, labs, homework, etc. to make a lesson plan. My lesson plans are just lists.  Yes, I know there are many, many lesson plan templates and notebooks.  I just need a list to jar my memory and cross off activities as completed.

3. Create a dedicated calendar for class.

4. Put all the resources together into Google Classroom.  Classroom allows students and parent s to see all the lesson, assignments, slide decks, articles, and videos.  Students can upload their work directly into Classroom.

Maker Camp 2026

 Here is the spreadsheet with plans for the Maker Camp 2026.  I just bid and bought water rockets from Good Will.  I have another set in the basement.  The shipping was $16.  However, the retail for one is about $21.  We can make it a contest.  Always, always, always check the shipping before you bid!  I’ll update the spreadsheet with plans as they change.

Dissection Specimens for Anatomy

 Buying the dissection specimens for an anatomy class is trickier than for a biology class. Ideally, the kids should dissect the heart, brain, eyeball, and fetal pig.  I want the kids to dissect a kidney, too.  I found some specimens in lab kits on eBay.  Colleges often have online, introductory, anatomy classes.  Professors design their own lab kits which are part of the course. Too often the college student decides he or she can get any answers needed to fulfill the class requirements without doing any of the assigned labs.  Many, many students sell these expensive kits o eBay.  I have  found a few on Good Will online, too.  However, finding a good deal on eBay isn’t an efficient method to order anatomy, dissection specimens.  I just ordered a set from Amazon which included histology slides.  The screenshots are the two kits I bought on eBay, my Amazon order, and a selection at Home Science Tools.

Advanced Biology (Anatomy): Modules 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16

Module 12, Module 13, Module 14, and Module 15 are roughed in.  Yes, they need notes and more ideas.  But it’s a huge weight off my shoulders to get to this stage with a course I haven’t taught in a long time.  Module 16  is abbreviated.  We are NOT discussing sexual reproduction.  We will go over fetal development and meiosis.   Am confident the kids will read this module independently.  I do want to go over bioethics and talk about fun topics, such as multiple births.  Yeah! At least I have something to edit.

Advanced Biology (Anatomy): Modules 10 and 11

 Yeah!  This week I am plowing ahead to rough in 14 modules for Advanced Biology before classes begin in a week.  Module 10 and Module 11 are very rough.  I’ll need to add notes.  I’m considering a note guide.  We might just start with an overview and then tackle each section.  I have to see what works best with the kids.  If you look over the modules, you’ll see I’m using many Amoeba Sisters clips.  Today, a random thought occurred: what if the kids loathe these videos?  If I get negative feedback-back I’ll hunt for videos which don’t annoy the kids and edit most of my slide shows.  I already have several  Bozeman videos, too.  We are going to rely on POGIL; I bought textbooks for class.  I’m going to try and rough in three more modules today.  I still have a literature class to prep.

Advanced Biology (Anatomy): Module 9

 Still slogging away on presentations.  Is Module 9 finished?  Not at all.  I’m adding material and modifying these modules as I go.  My goal is to rough in all of the modules before class starts, with an emphasis on the word rough.  I also need to make up note sheets, prep labs, and locate my cell models.  In any case, it feels great to give each module at least a cursory glance.

Advanced Biology (Anatomy) Module 8

 Am I completely happy and confident  about Module 8?  Hardly.  This slide show is full of links.  I am pretty sure we’ll need to spend three weeks on the brain.  We’ll dissect a sheep brain and Build a Brain from clay.  But, we’ll really need to work through a boat load of terms.  BTW, I just found Free Resources from Anatomy in Clay.

Vintage Human Anatomy Paper Doll

 I don’t know why this link is so hard to locate.  However, it is.  Here is a vintage paper doll with all sorts of layers: muscle, bones, nerves, and organs.  It reminds me of the personal person in Apologia’s Young Explorers Human Anatomy.  It may not be useful for an advanced anatomy course.  I haven’t decided.  I think middle schoolers will like the detail.